Hajj and Umrah flights from Turkey to Saudi Arabia have not been made since February 27, 2020, due to Covid-19 pandemic. The relaxation of Covid-19 measures in Saudi Arabia, the removal of social distance measures in all mosques, especially the Masjid-i Haram (Kaaba) and Masjid an-Nabawi, and the opening of the holy lands to visitors gave hope to the agencies. Some companies, which are waiting for the opening day of the visits, continue their preparations accordingly. Diyaeddin Şahin, President of the Association of Hajj Umrah Travel Agencies (HURSAD) and Member of the Board of Directors responsible for Hajj and Umrah of the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB), said that the obligation to wear masks in closed areas in Masjid-i Haram and Masjid-i Nebevi continues, but social distancing is not enforced. He stated that they were standing shoulder to shoulder and praying. As of January 1, 2022, the number of countries that have been restricted by Saudi Arabia regarding going to Umrah has decreased, including Turkey, which was not included in the Umrah organization. Explaining that there are 4 countries left restricted including Turkey, Şahin said that travel agencies have been facing a serious crisis for 2 years. Mentioning that Saudi Arabian citizens are also unable to come to Turkey for a holiday, Şahin mentioned that Turkey hosted approximately 600,000 Saudi Arabian tourists in 2019, and the relations and trade established by Saudis in Turkey and the trade between the two countries.
MUTUAL VISITS ARE IMPORTANT FOR BOTH COUNTRIES
Diyaeddin Şahin said, “The relevant institutions, organizations and the Ministry of our state are trying to solve this problem. We know that both in the press from the mouth of our President and from the Ministry of Commerce, efforts are being made to solve this problem on various occasions. It is our hope and demand that the problems related to the organization of Hajj and Umrah will be an agenda item to be discussed at this point. Therefore, it is very important for both countries that our Saudi brothers come to Turkey and that Turks go to Saudi Arabia for Umrah and Hajj.”
Explaining that they knew from the press that President Erdoğan had a plan to go to Saudi Arabia, “We know that there are studies on this and that some problems and requests have been submitted to the Ministry of Commerce through chambers of commerce. It is not natural for our state to deal with the problems of our people and our industry, but we want to make a call, that the demands of the agencies that do hajj and umrah business should be taken into account there, and that the problems of Turks going to Saudi Arabia for the purpose of worship should be discussed. When both TÜRSAB and the Presidency of Religious Affairs (DİB) will take the necessary initiatives regarding this matter, we request our President to include this issue in the list of priority things to be done,” Şahin added.